WEBVTT
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(sentimental rock music)
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My name is David Rattray, I'm the president
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of UNITE-LA and the executive vice president
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of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce, but most important
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I am the person that is honored to be
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on the advisory board of EDUCARE Los Angeles at Long Beach,
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and I'm the person that gets to hang out with a lot of you
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on behalf of these babies and toddlers,
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so I see that as my most important role,
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maybe my most important role as I'm the grandfather
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of five beautiful grandchildren, and I have a sixth one
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due any moment, and fortunately my son and daughter-in-law
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live in Indianapolis so I was worried
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that I wasn't gonna be able to share this moment
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with you because the great thing could have happened
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that they would have sent me a text saying,
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get on the next airplane, and I would have done it.
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So hopefully I get to hang out with you
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and somewhere in the next day or two I'm gonna be
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on that airplane.
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And that's just to say, we're bonkers about babies,
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like all of you are, and so today, for us,
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is an incredibly heartfelt celebration.
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And thank you so much for being part of that celebration.
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We're celebrating babies, we're celebrating toddlers,
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we're celebrating what could be a better future
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for these babies and toddlers, but babies and toddlers
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for years to come, all over the region,
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all over the state.
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This project has been,
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it's really starting to work now, huh?
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(light audience laughter)
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This initiative has been a work of love
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by a lot of us over, really about a decade.
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The national EDUCARE network has, this is the newest
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home for that network, here in Long Beach,
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the national network, you'll hear about a little bit more
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later, has EDUCAREs throughout the country.
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With humble beginnings there were a group
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of partners and funders that came together
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and committed to bringing EDUCARE to Long Beach.
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And we're just so grateful that this has come true,
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and this is the moment that we've been dreaming about,
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you're with us to say formally, we're open.
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We sort of opened in July, but I want you to think
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about today as the first day of the future.
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And this is prototypical, you hear so much
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about public, private partnerships, but we all know,
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it's easy to say it, it's hard to actually do one.
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And a lot of them are name only, or a lot of them
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get some success but fail or struggle.
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I've been a part of a lot of public, private
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partnerships, I've never seen one this good.
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It's just amazing, Long Beach Unified,
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all of you that are part of it from the board,
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to the leadership, and to the city, the mayor,
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and all the city partners, and just so many others,
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you have partnered with us, the LA Chamber,
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as a private enterprise, and so many of our
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philanthropic partners and others, in ways that are
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in themself a model, of what could be
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and should be, and so we are also just celebrating
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the power of this kind of partnership and collaboration,
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and how when it gets right it changes lives for these
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young babies and toddlers that often don't get
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the kind of support that we all want for them.
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And I do wanna just say, too, it's also a day
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just be incredibly thankful, and there's really no way
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for me to share in words the feeling in my heart
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about how grateful we are to so many of our philanthropic
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partners that helped us raise a $7 million match,
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and we have a interesting thing that happened
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along the way, we had an anonymous donor
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of $7 million, that got us going,
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and so thank you to Mike Berk, and to Susie Buffet,
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and the whole Early Learning, who brought that
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anonymous donor to us and said, if you can raise seven
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and match it, we will have the 14 million,
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so to this date we still don't know either,
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they've honored that request, and we've had a few
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late nights where we tried to pry this out of Michael,
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but he did what was right and never told us.
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But we are so grateful to whoever that anonymous donor is,
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and we go to church on Sunday, Sonia and I, and we say
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an extra prayer for the unknown person.
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(audience laughter)
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I can only tell you it's not me.
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(audience laughter)
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But with that, so many of you, and so many other
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philanthropic partners, and the district itself,
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helped us leverage that full match,
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and with that match became this incredible facility.
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So, we're incredibly grateful, we now, because of that,
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have 159 low income infants, that's kind of a weird
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thing to say, infants don't have income,
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so they, infants from low income families,
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and toddlers and preschoolers, that get to use
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this facility, get to be part of this.
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And then we get to make this the,
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think of this place, and I challenge and invite
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all of you, to make it the hub of early childhood care
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and learning in all of Southern California,
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and the state, cause that's the point of EDUCARE,
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it's not a model, we're not trying to scale this,
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we're trying to use it as a demonstration
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and a beacon of hope, so think of it as a beacon.
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As you see this, and you experience it, that you wanna bring
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your colleagues, you wanna bring, we'll bring
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the governor here, the next governor will be
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in this facility, I promise you that.
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The staff, of the next governor, the legislative
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leadership of California, of which you'll have
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Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell here,
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if he's not here already,
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he's here already, hello Patrick,
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and other leaders like Patrick that will help all of us
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raise our consciousness about how this should be
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the normal, this should not be the exception,
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that kids of low income families, this is what should be.
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And I'll just end my opening remarks by saying, we,
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why is the LA Chamber?
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Some of you are wondering why are we standing here
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with you; we've long believed that cradle to career
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talent pipelines are what make inclusive economies grow.
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Where everyone participates, regardless of their zip code,
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of their skin color, where they come from.
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But what we only learned in the last decade
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is it starts with babies.
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We focused too much on high schools and we didn't understand
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it started with babies, so that's why we're here
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with you, and I'm so honored then to be your MC
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today and we'll get this show on the road.
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So now I get the honor of introducing Megan Kerr,
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the school board member in this region who has been
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an incredible champion from day one, please welcome Megan.
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(audience applause)
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Thank you David.
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I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge some very special
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people, and elected officials who came to join us
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for this day, we are joyful that you are with us;
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Dr. Robert Garcia, our current mayor of Long Beach, is here.
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(audience applause)
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I like to call her our Forever Mayor of Long Beach,
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Beverly O'Neill is here, as well.
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(audience applause)
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In the back we have Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell
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who represents this area.
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(audience applause)
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Councilmember Al Austin of the eighth district
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who represents this area, as well.
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From Supervisor Janice Hahn's office
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we have Herlinda Chico.
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(audience applause)
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And from my tremendous current Board of Education
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we have our current president Diana Craighead.
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(audience applause)
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Our current vice president John Mayer.
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(audience applause)
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Dr. Felton Williams, is with us as well.
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(audience applause)
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And Dr. Juan Benitez, I believe, is here as well,
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thank you.
(audience applause)
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Good morning, welcome to EDUCARE Los Angeles at Long Beach.
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We are thrilled that you are here with us today,
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and for many of us who have been on this process
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and journey for several years, it's like pinching ourselves
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that we're actually in this building where there are
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children laughing, and playing, and being highly
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entertaining outside those windows there,
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so I, don't take offense to your gaze wandering
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to where it absolutely should be, which are
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the little ones out in the yard.
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Long Beach Unified throughout its history has been
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dedicated to the success of every student, everyday,
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and has a long history of innovation.
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The dedication of our leadership, to educating
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the whole child, has always been clear.
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But it is on magnificent display here today.
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We know that providing these children a high quality
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learning environment can change the trajectory
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not only of their life, but of their families' life
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and our community's life as well.
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Our strong commitment to early childhood education
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is apparent in our child development centers,
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our Head Start centers, and this extraordinary
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comprehensive center that we're celebrating today.
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These things are the proof that this K12 district
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highly supports early learning, and knows
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that it is vital to the mission of educating our
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children everyday.
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We are committed to our students and community
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from literally the cradle, and as you saw the strollers
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with car seats, to their career, and this center
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begins that trajectory of success.
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This innovative relationship based center
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will change our community, and more importantly,
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impact early learning throughout the region.
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The lessons learned from best practices and strategies
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here at EDUCARE will help inform conversations
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on policy, and we look forward to working with
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our policy makers on making long lasting systems changing
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policy for the entire early childhood education community.
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So on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools
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Chris Steinhauser, our Deputy Superintendent Jill Baker,
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and my colleagues on the board, I thank you
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for your presence here and for your continued
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support of our youngest learners.
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(audience applause)
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Thank you Megan.
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Now I'd like to introduce a key champion for young children,
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Mayor Robert Garcia has been a vocal supporter,
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you all know, of early care and education,
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and we greatly value his leadership on behalf
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of our youngest learners; welcome Mayor Garcia.
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(audience applause)
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Well good morning everybody.
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[Audience Together] Good morning.
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It's a really, really special day for us
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in Long Beach and I wanna, of course, David,
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and all the partners that are here,
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thank you so much for being here at this moment
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at a very special time for the city, and I really think
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for the state of California as well.
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I especially wanna just start by thanking
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the school district, and I know that Chris
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who I just saw a minute ago is here somewhere,
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and the board, of course, who are all here,
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this project has a lot of partners and funders,
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of which you will hear from today, but it would just not
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have come together the way it did without the advocacy
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and the constant leadership that the superintendent
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and the board have shown every single step of the way.
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So we would not have done this without you guys.
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(audience applause)
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And this is, this is just a, to me,
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this is a testament of how amazing a school system
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we have in Long Beach, and how proud we are
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of Long Beach Unified, how proud we are of this campus,
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of the leadership and teachers of this campus,
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and just Chris and the board, we can't,
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the community cannot thank you enough
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for bringing this to Long Beach.
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I also am excited because I think a lot of things
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are happening today; one is we're opening
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the best early childhood ed center anywhere
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in the state of California, that is happening today,
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and we're very excited about it.
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(audience applause)
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There is no question, there is no question,
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that this EDUCARE center is the premier early
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childhood ed center in all of California,
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and not only is it going to, of course,
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do its most important mission, which is educate
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these amazing little ones that are out here
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and provide support for their families,
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but it is also going to be a beacon and an educational
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and research center for so many teachers
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and educators from across the country,
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and the state, they're gonna come here to learn,
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and to observe the amazing work happening on site
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by the staff and teachers here on this campus,
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and so we're very proud of that.
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And we're also proud that this center
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will also be the largest early childhood
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ed program, and center, in Long Beach.
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And so for Long Beach this is a very special moment
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and we couldn't be more excited.
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I wanna just remind us that the link
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between early childhood ed, all the way through,
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our college promise, and going into the collegiate
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level is so important, I'm glad so many
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of our partners are here, I think about Mayor O'Neill,
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who is the champion and really mother of our
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Long Beach college promise seamless education program
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in Long Beach, Councilman Austin who's been
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so supportive, and so many others, to the donors,
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and funders, thank you, this is a very, very special place.
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And for us, we know that early childhood ed
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is the best investment you can make anywhere
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on the education spectrum, we know that to be true,
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and I think this, (audience applause),
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and I think this center speaks to that.
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We're so proud and thankful, I can't wait
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to actually do this tour, it looks even way better
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than when I came the last time to take a look,
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I can't believe it.
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And it's amazing to me that just a couple years ago
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we were in Phoenix, think it was Phoenix,
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touring the EDUCARE center there, and here we are.
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So thank you very much.
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(audience applause)
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Thank you Mayor, and thank you again for your leadership.
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Now it's my pleasure to ask up Councilmember Al Austin
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who we're pleased to have join us today
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who represents this great eighth district
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in the city of Long Beach.
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(audience applause)
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Thank you very much, and welcome to the neighborhood.
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(light audience laughter)
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Welcome EDUCARE, and this is a great new addition
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to our community, it just seems like a couple of years
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ago we were sitting down in the early stages,
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planning this amazing new facility, and it came up
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in warp speed, to see this facility here,
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in all its glory, and understanding what it's going
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to do to serve our community, and the kids directly
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impacted in this community, is, really warms my heart.
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We know that the early years of education are very
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critical in the lives of children, and EDUCARE's
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commitment to early education,
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ensuring that children receive the highest quality
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care in education from birth to kindergarten is outstanding,
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and I wanna thank everybody personally, on behalf
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of this community who had anything to do with
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making this happen, I think the mayor made that list
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as well as Megan, but each and every one of you
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have made, and will make a lasting impact
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on this city, but also directly on this community.
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As I think back to my childhood, and remember preschool,
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my earliest memory of getting involved in politics
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actually was at my kindergarten class.
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I had a relative, my great uncle who was running
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for statewide office, and I don't know whose idea it was,
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it may have been just fortuitous, but that is my
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earliest memory of being involved in kindergarten.
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I had, and as people would walk to their polling place
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at my school, I was campaigning for my family member, and,
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(light audience laughter)
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I think I was crushing it for him because kids,
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people were just so amazed to see this young kid involved,
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and so I say that to say that the students
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and families here at EDUCARE are gonna receive
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a high quality of care, and each and every one of us,
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and what we're doing today, is gonna impact
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those young people for the next generation,
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and hopefully we're inspiring the leaders for
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generations to come, here today.
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And for many years to come.
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And so we look forward to the bright futures
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that they will have because they started their path
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right here at EDUCARE, right here in the heart
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of north Long Beach, eighth district,
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and we wanna thank the teachers, the administrators,
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and staff for making the plan here a reality,
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and I look forward to a partnership, continued partnership
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for many years to come.
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Again, welcome to the neighborhood, thank you very much.
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(audience applause)
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Thank you Councilmember, I guess you see
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young canvassers out there right now as you even,
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(audience laughter),
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just look, that was you, brother.
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And thank you for, I was remiss too,
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thank you Councilmember for recognizing the staff.
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Maria, the principal, where is Maria?
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Maria's over there.
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(audience applause)
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This is sort of like, think about physical plan,
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times human beings, is a multiplicative relationship,
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if I can put it in that term, it's the magic
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of an amazing facility and incredible human beings
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as their staff, and that's the multiplicative effective.
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This staff is second to none, they're just amazing,
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and they've done great work getting this place
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up and running in July.
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So now I get the distinct pleasure to invite
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Assembly, huh, Assemblymember,
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Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell who represents
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the 70th assembly district, which we are in,
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and we're very proud that we also brought this
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to your district, sir, and thank you for your leadership.
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(audience applause)
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You're thanking me for my leadership, David,
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I wanna thank you personally for your leadership.
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I guess it took the LA Chamber to make this happen.
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I don't know why, but it did, and you've done
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a wonderful job.
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(audience applause)
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But what I can share is your voice in Sacramento,
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is I came, I saw, and now I will share, okay?
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(audience applause)
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Really, what I can do from the Sacramento level,
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I can't provide the services, but it's about money,
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we need money for early childhood education across the state
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of California.
(audience applause)
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And we need a permanent and stable source of funding,
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so that's what we're gonna work on next year,
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we've got a new governor who's open to that,
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I was just with him last Saturday at a school
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that I taught at, just up the road here,
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and he advocated for that.
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So we're gonna make it happen, we're gonna make it happen.
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And while all of you were up here talking
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I was looking out there, I hope you're looking
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out there right now, cause that's where
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the fun is happening right now, do you agree?
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Well with that I just wanna acknowledge,
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all the partners that made this happen,
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all the stakeholders, cause what you're doing
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is you're closing that achievement gap and you're
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building the future of California right here,
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where we stand, so thank you, thank you, thank you.
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And on behalf of the California State Assembly,
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David, maybe you could accept this?
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Or the principal, I believe, is here somewhere,
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well come on up, come on up.
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(audience applause)
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She's the hero today, do you agree?
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She makes it happen, her staff.
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So that is on behalf of the California State Assembly,
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and again, I'm going to take today's experience
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and share with my colleagues in Sacramento
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that we have work to do.
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We need to support these, we need to support
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this effort, and we need a lot more EDUCAREs
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across the state of California, do you agree?
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[Audience Together] Yes.
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I hope you do, thank you.
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(audience applause)
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So, Assemblymember, we invite you to have
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a education committee meeting here, a democratic caucus
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meeting here, the, whatever you wanna bring,
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as your colleagues and staff members, that's the point,
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so just know Roberto is here and anytime you wanna
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coordinate that stuff, we are ready to do that,
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that goes for everyone of you.
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So now we're really, I'm very pleased to have
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Cynthia Jackson come up, and she has flown in today,
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she is the executive director of the EDUCARE Learning
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Network, and a senior vice president
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of The Ounce of Prevention, and they are the brains
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behind creating EDUCARE, so you're gonna learn
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about that and just be wowed, I think.
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So Cynthia, where, there we are, there she is.
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(audience applause)
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Wow, you guys, that's all I can say, is,
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every time we have a groundbreaking or a ribbon cutting
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ceremony like this, I'm just wowed and overwhelmed.
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I bring you greetings this morning to welcome you
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to the EDUCARE learning network.
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We are thrilled that EDUCARE Los Angeles at Long Beach
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is the 23rd school in our dynamic, coast to coast network.
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From Seattle, to Miami, to Florida, to schools now,
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two, in California, so I have to chuckle, Robert,
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about southern California at Long Beach school.
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This school will continue to improve the lives
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of the children that enter this walls this summer,
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and as you heard, it actually was operational in July,
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we're just now getting to the groundbreaking,
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or the actual ribbon cutting, I should say,
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and we are here, really, as a collective network
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to advance knowledge about what is effective
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in educating vulnerable young children, and drive
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greater demand for high quality early learning
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in the Long Beach community and beyond,
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so I am so honored to just have heard
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the investment that is to come to the state of California
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in our previous speaker.
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And at EDUCARE we believe everyone deserves
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a fair chance to achieve their dreams, and it starts
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by leveling the playing field from the day we are born.
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And you also heard that it starts with babies,
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so you all are on the right path.
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And I think that, probably for the last, almost 30 years
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now we've known this from brain research,
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that children learn and begin learning at birth,
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but it's now becoming much more acceptable
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and understandable across our country.
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What we do is we really work tirelessly to promote
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quality early childhood education for young children,
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especially the most vulnerable,
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and EDUCAREs really serve as a place of innovation
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and learning that benefit not only the children
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and families that we serve, but the entire field
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of early childhood education.
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You all here in Long Beach are part of a network
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of early childhood champions, educators,
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advocates, researchers, families, and community leaders.
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We are invested in continuous learning and improvement.
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Together we are pushing for programmatic
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and policy changes that advance our goal
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of providing every child in America with an opportunity
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to start strong and be successful in life.
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And children aren't the only ones learning here,
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at EDUCARE Long Beach.
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Teachers, you have made your teachers in your classrooms
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feel respected and valued for their profession,
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and of providing continuous professional learning
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opportunities that inspire them and make them
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eager to learn, and excited to come to work everyday.
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The school has already had an amazing turnout
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at your parent trainings.
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The families are excited and proud of this school,
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and the many opportunities that are being offered
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to them both to them as parents, as adults,
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and their children, and this is evidence of a strong two gen
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model that you're activating here, and we know that
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parents are the key and most important person
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in a child's life.
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If we're lucky, we will have an opportunity to
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work with these children two to five years,
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depending on when they enter EDUCARE,
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but parents are there for life, so the investment
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that we make in working alongside our parents
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in partnership with them is critical and one of our key
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principles in the EDUCARE Learning Network.
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You've even heard from the community here
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00:27:06.409 --> 00:27:09.309
that they never expected a building of this quality
509
00:27:09.309 --> 00:27:11.905
would be built for their children, and that this school
510
00:27:11.905 --> 00:27:14.266
is really too good to be true, we hear that
511
00:27:14.266 --> 00:27:16.202
over and over and over again.
512
00:27:16.202 --> 00:27:19.130
And we know that it is worth investing in our
513
00:27:19.130 --> 00:27:21.057
youngest citizens.
514
00:27:21.057 --> 00:27:24.381
So we stand here today as proof that EDUCARE
515
00:27:24.381 --> 00:27:29.214
Los Angeles at Long Beach is a reality for this community.
516
00:27:31.017 --> 00:27:34.230
As you know, EDUCARE is a robust partnership
517
00:27:34.230 --> 00:27:36.958
between The Ounce of Prevention Fund
518
00:27:36.958 --> 00:27:39.073
and the Buffet Early Childhood Fund, and I always
519
00:27:39.073 --> 00:27:41.716
give a nod to my colleague Mike Burke,
520
00:27:41.716 --> 00:27:44.623
the vice president of the Buffet Early Childhood Fund,
521
00:27:44.623 --> 00:27:46.947
and who is also on your advisory board,
522
00:27:46.947 --> 00:27:51.424
member, and has championed this school to its completion.
523
00:27:51.424 --> 00:27:52.931
And he's also the secret,
(audience applause)
524
00:27:52.931 --> 00:27:54.848
anonymous donor holder.
525
00:27:59.775 --> 00:28:01.883
And I just have to say that our strong network
526
00:28:01.883 --> 00:28:04.021
would really not be possible without the commitment
527
00:28:04.021 --> 00:28:06.072
of our many partners here in Long Beach,
528
00:28:06.072 --> 00:28:08.645
such as the Long Beach Unified School District,
529
00:28:08.645 --> 00:28:11.412
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,
530
00:28:11.412 --> 00:28:14.715
Long Beach Education Fund, the Head Start Office,
531
00:28:14.715 --> 00:28:17.011
and Long Beach Unified School District,
532
00:28:17.011 --> 00:28:19.991
Robert Garcia, the Mayor of Long Beach,
533
00:28:19.991 --> 00:28:22.044
the former mayor, who I just met, Beverly,
534
00:28:22.044 --> 00:28:24.241
thank you so much for joining us today,
535
00:28:24.241 --> 00:28:26.565
and Molly Bunger and The Advancement Project.
536
00:28:26.565 --> 00:28:29.068
We'd also like to thank Rhea Harris,
537
00:28:29.068 --> 00:28:31.799
the first employee and principal who's been here
538
00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:34.673
now for almost two years, who I met a couple of years ago,
539
00:28:34.673 --> 00:28:36.631
who flew to Chicago to learn all she could
540
00:28:36.631 --> 00:28:40.052
about EDUCARE, and the staff here who absolutely
541
00:28:40.052 --> 00:28:43.536
are phenomenal, so thank you, Maria, for that.
542
00:28:43.536 --> 00:28:45.920
And then of course Robert Viramontes,
543
00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:49.894
and his great team at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce,
544
00:28:49.894 --> 00:28:52.034
and as you know, Roberto is the director
545
00:28:52.034 --> 00:28:53.854
of public affairs.
546
00:28:53.854 --> 00:28:56.831
I am wrapping up, and I've extended my time,
547
00:28:56.831 --> 00:28:58.529
just a little bit, you guys, so.
548
00:28:58.529 --> 00:29:00.380
I did not ignore you sir, in the back,
549
00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:03.528
I saw the one minute, I saw the you're done,
550
00:29:03.528 --> 00:29:07.063
and I'm like, but I got a message I have to deliver.
551
00:29:07.063 --> 00:29:10.252
Because I didn't come this way to not thank you all
552
00:29:10.252 --> 00:29:12.707
for this incredible investment in your children
553
00:29:12.707 --> 00:29:15.133
and families and your community.
554
00:29:15.133 --> 00:29:17.243
George Washington Carver once said,
555
00:29:17.243 --> 00:29:21.245
where there is no vision, there is no hope.
556
00:29:21.245 --> 00:29:23.599
You all have come together as a community
557
00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:27.125
with these great partners to bring this collective vision
558
00:29:27.125 --> 00:29:31.015
of EDUCARE to fruition in Long Beach.
559
00:29:31.015 --> 00:29:35.007
I wanna thank you all who made this school a reality,
560
00:29:35.007 --> 00:29:37.847
and I hope that your courage is contagious,
561
00:29:37.847 --> 00:29:40.490
and that your hope inspires other communities
562
00:29:40.490 --> 00:29:43.294
across the country to do what is best
563
00:29:43.294 --> 00:29:47.623
and the right thing to do for children and families.
564
00:29:47.623 --> 00:29:52.293
EDUCARE Los Angeles at Long Beach is a beacon of hope
565
00:29:52.293 --> 00:29:54.460
for children and families.
566
00:29:55.708 --> 00:29:59.397
My personal inspiration, Maria Montessori,
567
00:29:59.397 --> 00:30:03.405
who's an early childhood educator, renowned, was,
568
00:30:03.405 --> 00:30:06.623
said; early childhood education is the key
569
00:30:06.623 --> 00:30:09.708
to the betterment of society.
570
00:30:09.708 --> 00:30:13.254
Your city is a model for our society, of how,
571
00:30:13.254 --> 00:30:16.974
when a community makes smart early childhood investments,
572
00:30:16.974 --> 00:30:20.515
we can deliver on the promise of early childhood
573
00:30:20.515 --> 00:30:22.710
to bridge the opportunity gap and ensure
574
00:30:22.710 --> 00:30:25.043
that every child can grow up healthy,
575
00:30:25.043 --> 00:30:28.914
happy, and ready to succeed in school and in life.
576
00:30:28.914 --> 00:30:32.223
We are grateful that you have joined this EDUCARE
577
00:30:32.223 --> 00:30:34.944
Learning Network, and grateful that you have joined
578
00:30:34.944 --> 00:30:37.950
the ribbon cutting ceremony this morning, thank you.
579
00:30:37.950 --> 00:30:40.950
(audience applause)
580
00:30:43.698 --> 00:30:46.042
And I just wanna take your picture so, when I
581
00:30:46.042 --> 00:30:48.797
point the camera at you, can you say, winning?
582
00:30:48.797 --> 00:30:50.196
(audience laughter)
583
00:30:50.196 --> 00:30:51.029
Say what?
584
00:30:51.029 --> 00:30:51.862
Winning.
585
00:30:51.862 --> 00:30:52.695
Winning.
586
00:30:52.695 --> 00:30:54.098
You all are winning.
587
00:30:54.098 --> 00:30:57.543
(audience laughter)
588
00:30:57.543 --> 00:30:58.714
Thank you again.
589
00:30:58.714 --> 00:31:01.714
(audience applause)
590
00:31:03.955 --> 00:31:07.546
Okay, so I just want everybody to know,
591
00:31:07.546 --> 00:31:12.129
Cynthia flew in from Chicago to hang out with us today,
592
00:31:13.384 --> 00:31:16.348
so if you come from Chicago to be part of it,
593
00:31:16.348 --> 00:31:17.910
you get and extra couple minutes.
594
00:31:17.910 --> 00:31:21.389
(audience laughter)
595
00:31:21.389 --> 00:31:24.306
So, and I too wanna just reinforce,
596
00:31:26.921 --> 00:31:30.770
the EDUCARE Learning Network that was founded
597
00:31:30.770 --> 00:31:34.510
by Susy Buffet, Warren Buffet's daughter,
598
00:31:34.510 --> 00:31:38.241
and Mike Burke who's a key part of that,
599
00:31:38.241 --> 00:31:41.669
they believed in us in southern California,
600
00:31:41.669 --> 00:31:44.597
enough where after four or five years of trying
601
00:31:44.597 --> 00:31:48.017
to do this, we weren't getting it done,
602
00:31:48.017 --> 00:31:50.774
and they stayed with us, and hung with us through
603
00:31:50.774 --> 00:31:54.324
this journey where a lot of people would have
604
00:31:54.324 --> 00:31:56.238
given up, frankly.
605
00:31:56.238 --> 00:31:58.127
And we had a little tough love in there, too.
606
00:31:58.127 --> 00:32:00.195
Mike had to kick me in the butt a few times,
607
00:32:00.195 --> 00:32:02.153
but anyway, so I just want you to know
608
00:32:02.153 --> 00:32:04.425
all good things really come with a journey,
609
00:32:04.425 --> 00:32:07.739
and we're very grateful that you had the faith in us
610
00:32:07.739 --> 00:32:09.738
to get to this moment.
611
00:32:09.738 --> 00:32:11.538
So we have a very special part of the program,
612
00:32:11.538 --> 00:32:13.190
are they gonna be brought in?
613
00:32:13.190 --> 00:32:16.440
Okay, so now, these are the real stars.
614
00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:22.442
Here, all of us adults, feeling good about ourselves,
615
00:32:22.442 --> 00:32:24.692
but, here's the reason why.
616
00:32:26.182 --> 00:32:29.468
So, we introduce to you now a performance
617
00:32:29.468 --> 00:32:32.218
by our very own EDUCARE children.
618
00:32:33.904 --> 00:32:36.529
Now you can take your eyes off of the courtyard
619
00:32:36.529 --> 00:32:39.362
and you can put them back up here.
620
00:32:41.626 --> 00:32:42.791
So please welcome our
621
00:32:42.791 --> 00:32:47.374
EDUCARE superstars.
(audience applause)
622
00:32:51.195 --> 00:32:52.620
Go to my...
623
00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:56.771
♪ Firetruck, firetruck, ♪
624
00:32:56.771 --> 00:33:00.692
♪ I want to ride on a firetruck. ♪
625
00:33:00.692 --> 00:33:05.692
♪ I have a hook and a ladder, a hook and a ladder. ♪
626
00:33:06.684 --> 00:33:10.638
♪ Climb that ladder and hold on tight, ♪
627
00:33:10.638 --> 00:33:15.638
♪ I'm gonna get out the hose and I'm gonna shoot that water, ♪
628
00:33:16.069 --> 00:33:20.980
♪ shoot that water, shoot that water, from the hose, ♪
629
00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:25.980
♪ on my firetruck, firetruck, ♪
630
00:33:26.744 --> 00:33:31.237
♪ I want to ride on the firetruck. ♪
631
00:33:31.237 --> 00:33:32.544
Hands up.
632
00:33:32.544 --> 00:33:34.444
Take a deep breath.
633
00:33:34.444 --> 00:33:36.322
(teacher hissing like water)
634
00:33:36.322 --> 00:33:37.155
One more.
635
00:33:38.238 --> 00:33:39.857
(teacher hissing like water)
636
00:33:39.857 --> 00:33:41.582
(audience laughter)
637
00:33:41.582 --> 00:33:43.462
And, what do we say?
638
00:33:43.462 --> 00:33:45.255
[Students Together] Thank you.
639
00:33:45.255 --> 00:33:46.373
Blow a kiss.
640
00:33:46.373 --> 00:33:47.269
(students blow a kiss together)
641
00:33:47.269 --> 00:33:50.269
(audience applause)
642
00:34:01.853 --> 00:34:03.460
So it should be the end of the program, right?
643
00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:05.036
(audience laughter)
644
00:34:05.036 --> 00:34:06.786
The best part's over.
645
00:34:08.709 --> 00:34:12.792
So, obviously, that's the magic, that's the magic
646
00:34:13.987 --> 00:34:16.687
that these incredible educators are doing everyday here
647
00:34:16.687 --> 00:34:21.687
with these young people, and forming brains and hearts.
648
00:34:21.791 --> 00:34:24.095
Next up we get to hear from one of our strongest
649
00:34:24.095 --> 00:34:26.411
supporters here in Long Beach.
650
00:34:26.411 --> 00:34:29.686
Ms. Arlene Walter has been a critical supporter
651
00:34:29.686 --> 00:34:32.769
of EDUCARE Los Angeles at Long Beach,
652
00:34:35.180 --> 00:34:37.697
and she's here today thanks to the generous support
653
00:34:37.697 --> 00:34:42.210
of the Arlene Walter, and her husband, Dr. Mark Walter,
654
00:34:42.210 --> 00:34:45.114
and their support for this facility,
655
00:34:45.114 --> 00:34:46.817
so please welcome them up.
656
00:34:46.817 --> 00:34:49.817
(audience applause)
657
00:34:56.310 --> 00:34:57.236
Good morning.
658
00:34:57.236 --> 00:34:58.234
[Audience Together] Good morning.
659
00:34:58.234 --> 00:35:00.152 line:15%
That's a hard act to follow.
660
00:35:00.152 --> 00:35:01.950 line:15%
(audience laughter)
661
00:35:01.950 --> 00:35:04.299 line:15%
But what an honor it is to be here with you
662
00:35:04.299 --> 00:35:06.732 line:15%
on this very special day.
663
00:35:06.732 --> 00:35:09.690 line:15%
I would like to add my congratulations to those
664
00:35:09.690 --> 00:35:13.390
with the vision to establish EDUCARE Los Angeles
665
00:35:13.390 --> 00:35:16.167
at Long Beach, and then to those people who worked
666
00:35:16.167 --> 00:35:18.894
so hard to make it a reality.
667
00:35:18.894 --> 00:35:21.725
I'd like to also congratulate the administrators
668
00:35:21.725 --> 00:35:25.257
and teachers who get to work in this exciting facility
669
00:35:25.257 --> 00:35:29.017
everyday, and to the parents who are participating
670
00:35:29.017 --> 00:35:31.452
in our inaugural classes.
671
00:35:31.452 --> 00:35:35.364
In a very real sense, the success of this endeavor
672
00:35:35.364 --> 00:35:38.392
rests in the hands with the people who are here
673
00:35:38.392 --> 00:35:40.725
day in and day out.
674
00:35:40.725 --> 00:35:44.106
My husband, my sister Marilyn, and I, are proud
675
00:35:44.106 --> 00:35:46.773
to have a small part in EDUCARE.
676
00:35:47.722 --> 00:35:51.067
We know from our own experience that education
677
00:35:51.067 --> 00:35:55.181
opens the door to opportunity, enables one to transcend
678
00:35:55.181 --> 00:35:59.014
boundaries, and also turn dreams into reality.
679
00:36:01.790 --> 00:36:05.535
But why, given all the needs of the community,
680
00:36:05.535 --> 00:36:08.767
did we choose to support EDUCARE?
681
00:36:08.767 --> 00:36:13.015
The first reason I'd like to acknowledge is that
682
00:36:13.015 --> 00:36:15.209
Mike Murry asked us to.
683
00:36:15.209 --> 00:36:18.318
(audience laughter)
684
00:36:18.318 --> 00:36:22.174
And then Mike proceeded to give us an opportunity to learn
685
00:36:22.174 --> 00:36:24.427
what EDUCARE is all about.
686
00:36:24.427 --> 00:36:27.477
And that's where the additional reasons come in.
687
00:36:27.477 --> 00:36:29.653
You've heard them referenced, and there are many,
688
00:36:29.653 --> 00:36:34.614
but I'd like to cite three; the first is the research
689
00:36:34.614 --> 00:36:37.684
that, of course confirms the value of early childhood
690
00:36:37.684 --> 00:36:41.476
education, but also shows that the progress
691
00:36:41.476 --> 00:36:45.841
the child achieves in EDUCARE persists as they go on
692
00:36:45.841 --> 00:36:48.868
into their elementary school.
693
00:36:48.868 --> 00:36:53.304
The second is the commitment to quality through the
694
00:36:53.304 --> 00:36:56.614
ongoing assessment of the teaching materials
695
00:36:56.614 --> 00:37:01.226
and the teaching techniques, this is so important.
696
00:37:01.226 --> 00:37:04.712
And third is the commitment of EDUCARE
697
00:37:04.712 --> 00:37:08.241
to share their research and techniques with other
698
00:37:08.241 --> 00:37:12.513
organizations involved in early childhood education.
699
00:37:12.513 --> 00:37:15.084
We are proud to live in a city where there
700
00:37:15.084 --> 00:37:18.655
are many organizations committed to help
701
00:37:18.655 --> 00:37:21.072
the most vulnerable among us.
702
00:37:22.061 --> 00:37:24.953
And then finally I'd like to point out that Mike,
703
00:37:24.953 --> 00:37:28.858
Marilyn, and I, are committed to provide ongoing
704
00:37:28.858 --> 00:37:31.257
support for this organization.
705
00:37:31.257 --> 00:37:35.150
We hope that many of you will join us not only
706
00:37:35.150 --> 00:37:39.035
with your financial resources, but also will volunteer
707
00:37:39.035 --> 00:37:42.541
when our support is needed, or will provide gifts
708
00:37:42.541 --> 00:37:45.634
in kind as needs are identified.
709
00:37:45.634 --> 00:37:48.860
We can all continue to be a part of this very,
710
00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:52.008
very important endeavor; thank you.
711
00:37:52.008 --> 00:37:55.008
(audience applause)
712
00:38:00.723 --> 00:38:04.341
Thank you Arlene, thank you Mike.
713
00:38:04.341 --> 00:38:07.172
And you provide the best in all of us in terms
714
00:38:07.172 --> 00:38:10.422
of your generosity and your commitment.
715
00:38:11.382 --> 00:38:15.314
And we're also very fortunate to have a whole host
716
00:38:15.314 --> 00:38:18.457
of supporters throughout the whole region,
717
00:38:18.457 --> 00:38:21.121
and many of those are in your program.
718
00:38:21.121 --> 00:38:23.583
So please make sure you take a look at this
719
00:38:23.583 --> 00:38:27.402
and see these amazing philanthropic organizations
720
00:38:27.402 --> 00:38:30.485
that have been part of this endeavor,
721
00:38:31.398 --> 00:38:36.398
and we're extremely grateful to one of those leaders,
722
00:38:36.566 --> 00:38:39.474
Wendy Garen, who's the president and CEO
723
00:38:39.474 --> 00:38:42.595
of the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation,
724
00:38:42.595 --> 00:38:45.955
and Wendy is one that we went to early on and said,
725
00:38:45.955 --> 00:38:48.015
Wendy, what do you think about this?
726
00:38:48.015 --> 00:38:51.054
And she was all in right from the beginning,
727
00:38:51.054 --> 00:38:55.291
and has been incredibly supportive, so please welcome
728
00:38:55.291 --> 00:38:59.374
Wendy Garen. (audience applause)
729
00:39:04.523 --> 00:39:06.402
I'm a little shorter.
730
00:39:06.402 --> 00:39:08.151
(light audience laughter)
731
00:39:08.151 --> 00:39:08.988
Sorry.
732
00:39:08.988 --> 00:39:10.155
That's okay.
733
00:39:13.098 --> 00:39:17.327 line:15%
Good morning, it's thrilling to be here today.
734
00:39:17.327 --> 00:39:19.743 line:15%
It wasn't all that long ago that you were thinking
735
00:39:19.743 --> 00:39:21.660 line:15%
about a groundbreaking.
736
00:39:23.979 --> 00:39:27.913 line:15%
We, my role here, is really to represent many other
737
00:39:27.913 --> 00:39:31.746
donors, and in such that's really a privilege.
738
00:39:33.564 --> 00:39:36.380
Parsons, I doubt, was the biggest donor,
739
00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:40.188
but we were early, and that helps to create some momentum.
740
00:39:40.188 --> 00:39:42.962
Our board invested a half a million dollars,
741
00:39:42.962 --> 00:39:45.629
and for us that's a big commitment,
742
00:39:45.629 --> 00:39:48.057
to build EDUCARE, which is really a public,
743
00:39:48.057 --> 00:39:52.527
private partnership, and we think that that partnership
744
00:39:52.527 --> 00:39:57.279
is the secret sauce that will make your work really sing.
745
00:39:57.279 --> 00:39:59.689
We all understand that doing the first few years
746
00:39:59.689 --> 00:40:02.483
of life, a million neural connections are formed
747
00:40:02.483 --> 00:40:04.639
in the brain every second.
748
00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:07.108
We know from science that the infant's brain
749
00:40:07.108 --> 00:40:10.719
is literally wired to learn, and that they are shaped
750
00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:14.869
by inputs from their environments for better or for worse.
751
00:40:14.869 --> 00:40:18.920
We also know that there's a severe shortage of high quality
752
00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:22.228
developmental childcare and preschool services.
753
00:40:22.228 --> 00:40:25.614
We know further that only about 5% of the eligible
754
00:40:25.614 --> 00:40:29.192
kids in California are getting help with the extremely
755
00:40:29.192 --> 00:40:33.563
high costs that childcare places on their families.
756
00:40:33.563 --> 00:40:36.921
So we know that EDUCARE is important,
757
00:40:36.921 --> 00:40:40.896
because it's a lodestar, fancy word, that says
758
00:40:40.896 --> 00:40:44.459
that that's a light that shows the way.
759
00:40:44.459 --> 00:40:46.784
EDUCARE is gonna demonstrate in practice
760
00:40:46.784 --> 00:40:49.706
what quality looks like in early childhood,
761
00:40:49.706 --> 00:40:52.495
and light the way, I think at at time,
762
00:40:52.495 --> 00:40:56.399
when we have the capacity to ramp up our public investments
763
00:40:56.399 --> 00:40:58.235
in young children.
764
00:40:58.235 --> 00:41:00.479
We have plenty to learn from EDUCARE.
765
00:41:00.479 --> 00:41:03.791
We think we know that child and family outcomes will improve
766
00:41:03.791 --> 00:41:08.350
with this treatment, using public health language.
767
00:41:08.350 --> 00:41:11.703
EDUCARE seriously invests in professional development,
768
00:41:11.703 --> 00:41:14.521
family engagements, wrap around supports,
769
00:41:14.521 --> 00:41:17.241
data collection, and we know that the data
770
00:41:17.241 --> 00:41:21.825
will inform systems change and public policy efforts.
771
00:41:21.825 --> 00:41:24.196
This is a time when we know we can do better
772
00:41:24.196 --> 00:41:27.562
for children, and EDUCARE is a shining example
773
00:41:27.562 --> 00:41:31.402
that asks us to imagine, what if we could provide this
774
00:41:31.402 --> 00:41:33.464
for every child?
775
00:41:33.464 --> 00:41:37.082
I wanna thank David Rattray for being such a booster
776
00:41:37.082 --> 00:41:40.979
and enthusiastically sharing the story of EDUCARE
777
00:41:40.979 --> 00:41:43.502
with us so we could step up and encourage others
778
00:41:43.502 --> 00:41:45.854
to take a look too.
779
00:41:45.854 --> 00:41:49.322
This is an important moment, I wanna mention
780
00:41:49.322 --> 00:41:53.094
EDUCARE'll continue to need support, but maybe even
781
00:41:53.094 --> 00:41:57.178
more importantly, this is a time to really engage
782
00:41:57.178 --> 00:42:00.493
with the civic side of our life, we're about to have
783
00:42:00.493 --> 00:42:03.298
a new governor, and I think we're at a time
784
00:42:03.298 --> 00:42:06.835
when we really could, if we all join hands,
785
00:42:06.835 --> 00:42:09.550
create real momentum to serve children
786
00:42:09.550 --> 00:42:13.331
and families more effectively, so what a wonderful time
787
00:42:13.331 --> 00:42:15.740
to be with you, and congratulations on everybody
788
00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:17.286
who made this possible.
789
00:42:17.286 --> 00:42:20.286
(audience applause)
790
00:42:26.601 --> 00:42:30.343
Thank you Wendy, and thank you for thanking me.
791
00:42:30.343 --> 00:42:32.777
I think she probably didn't say that at times
792
00:42:32.777 --> 00:42:35.223
I was very annoying (audience laughter),
793
00:42:35.223 --> 00:42:37.223
about advocacy for this.
794
00:42:38.473 --> 00:42:41.143
So next I'd like to introduce, (audience laughter),
795
00:42:41.143 --> 00:42:42.522
was there an affirmation of that?
796
00:42:42.522 --> 00:42:43.603
Yeah, probably (light laughter).
797
00:42:43.603 --> 00:42:44.503
(audience laughter)
798
00:42:44.503 --> 00:42:47.068
He's persistent, but not a pest.
799
00:42:47.068 --> 00:42:48.044
(audience laughter)
800
00:42:48.044 --> 00:42:50.583
Okay, I don't know if my wife would agree with that.
801
00:42:50.583 --> 00:42:52.061
(audience laughter)
802
00:42:52.061 --> 00:42:54.803
So next I'd like to introduce Kim Belshe,
803
00:42:54.803 --> 00:42:57.558
she's the executive director of First 5 LA,
804
00:42:57.558 --> 00:43:02.199
and not only is First 5 LA been a support of EDUCARE,
805
00:43:02.199 --> 00:43:04.956
but of course most of you know, but it's important
806
00:43:04.956 --> 00:43:08.354
to express and think about this, they have been the leading
807
00:43:08.354 --> 00:43:12.437
early childhood advocate in LA county since 1998.
808
00:43:13.334 --> 00:43:17.501
First 5 has invested $1.2 billion in efforts aimed
809
00:43:18.999 --> 00:43:21.441
at providing the best start for children prenatal
810
00:43:21.441 --> 00:43:22.758
to five in this county.
811
00:43:22.758 --> 00:43:26.070
So first of all, let's just say yay to First 5 LA.
812
00:43:26.070 --> 00:43:28.319
(audience applause)
813
00:43:28.319 --> 00:43:31.926
That is the biggest single effort in this region
814
00:43:31.926 --> 00:43:35.867
to do the very work we're all aimed to do here.
815
00:43:35.867 --> 00:43:38.783
So with that, please welcome Kim Belshe.
816
00:43:38.783 --> 00:43:41.783
(audience applause)
817
00:43:45.822 --> 00:43:48.230
I would say David's definitely persistent.
818
00:43:48.230 --> 00:43:49.220
(light audience laughter)
819
00:43:49.220 --> 00:43:51.129
I'd also use the word relentless.
820
00:43:51.129 --> 00:43:52.452
(light audience laughter).
821
00:43:52.452 --> 00:43:55.346
Thank you; so like Wendy and so many others,
822
00:43:55.346 --> 00:43:58.161
I do wanna acknowledge David's leadership
823
00:43:58.161 --> 00:44:02.173 line:15%
and the invitation to be a part of this amazing thing
824
00:44:02.173 --> 00:44:05.098 line:15%
called EDUCARE, I'm delighted to be here on behalf
825
00:44:05.098 --> 00:44:07.810 line:15%
of my board and all of my staff, colleagues,
826
00:44:07.810 --> 00:44:10.635 line:15%
a number of whom are here today, to join
827
00:44:10.635 --> 00:44:12.872
in congratulating EDUCARE for the work they have done
828
00:44:12.872 --> 00:44:15.398
that has brought us to this moment in time.
829
00:44:15.398 --> 00:44:18.209
And to the countless leaders, whether it be David,
830
00:44:18.209 --> 00:44:22.265
the mayor, the superintendent, our elected officials,
831
00:44:22.265 --> 00:44:25.314
the community leaders who had the foresight,
832
00:44:25.314 --> 00:44:27.980
the persistence, and the resilience, to make the vision
833
00:44:27.980 --> 00:44:29.858
of EDUCARE a reality.
834
00:44:29.858 --> 00:44:32.648
At First 5 LA our vision is to ensure that every child
835
00:44:32.648 --> 00:44:35.320
in LA county enter kindergarten ready to succeed
836
00:44:35.320 --> 00:44:37.294
in school in life, and what's that take?
837
00:44:37.294 --> 00:44:39.713
It takes kids being ready for school, schools being
838
00:44:39.713 --> 00:44:43.217
ready for kids, and communities and parents supporting
839
00:44:43.217 --> 00:44:47.531
children to succeed, and in my mind that takes EDUCARE.
840
00:44:47.531 --> 00:44:50.656
EDUCARE is such a powerful statement in terms
841
00:44:50.656 --> 00:44:52.868
of what our shared vision is for our kids
842
00:44:52.868 --> 00:44:56.148
not just in this community, and more broadly.
843
00:44:56.148 --> 00:44:59.690
This building is a testimony to the value,
844
00:44:59.690 --> 00:45:03.291
and the love we extend to the children in this community.
845
00:45:03.291 --> 00:45:06.633
It is a launchpad for ensuring these children,
846
00:45:06.633 --> 00:45:09.190
and countless more, will really be catapulted
847
00:45:09.190 --> 00:45:13.737
to success in school and in life, but it is so much more.
848
00:45:13.737 --> 00:45:17.302
We've heard the term the beacon on the hill,
849
00:45:17.302 --> 00:45:18.823
Wendy leaned over to me and she said, dang,
850
00:45:18.823 --> 00:45:21.268
I'm gonna use that term, (light audience laughter).
851
00:45:21.268 --> 00:45:23.937
So she used the term lodestar.
852
00:45:23.937 --> 00:45:27.408
The term we use is EDUCARE is like a shining
853
00:45:27.408 --> 00:45:31.104
city on a hill, it is a shining city on a hill
854
00:45:31.104 --> 00:45:34.172
for our region, because it's demonstrating
855
00:45:34.172 --> 00:45:37.831
in such a powerful way what quality early learning
856
00:45:37.831 --> 00:45:41.137
looks like, how it can actually happen, and that this
857
00:45:41.137 --> 00:45:43.348
is something worth fighting for,
858
00:45:43.348 --> 00:45:46.405
for our kids in this community, our kids in LA county,
859
00:45:46.405 --> 00:45:47.848
and more broadly.
860
00:45:47.848 --> 00:45:50.764
LA Care is fundamentally about learning, it's fundamentally
861
00:45:50.764 --> 00:45:53.556
about the children, but I really wanna underscore
862
00:45:53.556 --> 00:45:55.669
this morning the learning that is taking place
863
00:45:55.669 --> 00:45:59.232
with adults, certainly teachers and researchers,
864
00:45:59.232 --> 00:46:03.571
and coaches, but most importantly learning by policy makers,
865
00:46:03.571 --> 00:46:06.218
and how terrific to see our elected officials
866
00:46:06.218 --> 00:46:10.275
at the local and state level giving voice to the power
867
00:46:10.275 --> 00:46:13.288
of this model, and taking this on as a cause
868
00:46:13.288 --> 00:46:16.559
that they're gonna be championing at the policy level
869
00:46:16.559 --> 00:46:19.832
in Long Beach Unified as well as at the state level
870
00:46:19.832 --> 00:46:21.290
through our legislature.
871
00:46:21.290 --> 00:46:24.957
We have seen, we have seen in other EDUCAREs
872
00:46:26.027 --> 00:46:29.188
how those sister EDUCAREs have used their experience
873
00:46:29.188 --> 00:46:31.735
to really lift up the importance of the early years,
874
00:46:31.735 --> 00:46:34.648
to catalyze investments in our children,
875
00:46:34.648 --> 00:46:37.729
and to extend those lessons from their models
876
00:46:37.729 --> 00:46:41.122
to change systems at the local and at the state level.
877
00:46:41.122 --> 00:46:43.361
And demonstrating that quality early learning,
878
00:46:43.361 --> 00:46:45.956
yes is about academics, and it's about play,
879
00:46:45.956 --> 00:46:48.867
it's about mental health, it's about dual language learning,
880
00:46:48.867 --> 00:46:51.819
and importantly it's about parent engagement.
881
00:46:51.819 --> 00:46:54.285
Finally we know that Long Beach Unified is blessed
882
00:46:54.285 --> 00:46:57.673
by leadership in Chris Steinhauser who's known
883
00:46:57.673 --> 00:47:01.043
for his can do innovative attitude, so we expect
884
00:47:01.043 --> 00:47:03.952
that across LA, across our state, we will all
885
00:47:03.952 --> 00:47:06.273
be benefiting by the lessons that Chris
886
00:47:06.273 --> 00:47:09.795
and EDUCARE LA at Long Beach will be bringing forward.
887
00:47:09.795 --> 00:47:13.980
When I think about my childhood, I think about Mr. Rogers,
888
00:47:13.980 --> 00:47:16.512
and I think about his statement when he said,
889
00:47:16.512 --> 00:47:19.630
quote, anyone who does anything to help a child
890
00:47:19.630 --> 00:47:23.878
is a hero, so on behalf of First 5 LA I wanna congratulate
891
00:47:23.878 --> 00:47:26.011
all the leaders and supporters who are heroes
892
00:47:26.011 --> 00:47:29.145
for these children within the walls of EDUCARE
893
00:47:29.145 --> 00:47:31.379
LA at Long Beach, but for all the other kids
894
00:47:31.379 --> 00:47:33.266
who ultimately are gonna benefit by the important
895
00:47:33.266 --> 00:47:35.404
work you're doing; thank you for allowing us to be
896
00:47:35.404 --> 00:47:39.987
a partner in this (audience applause).
897
00:47:44.955 --> 00:47:46.794
Thank you Kim, and thank you again
898
00:47:46.794 --> 00:47:49.720
to talking about teachers.
899
00:47:49.720 --> 00:47:53.470
So we all know, as I said earlier, it's about
900
00:47:54.383 --> 00:47:57.279
all of the ingredients, but you start with the talent
901
00:47:57.279 --> 00:48:00.014
of the teachers, and the passion.
902
00:48:00.014 --> 00:48:03.892
So now I'd like to invite up one of our EDUCARE teachers,
903
00:48:03.892 --> 00:48:06.986
Ms. Katrina Perry, who's gonna give her perspective
904
00:48:06.986 --> 00:48:09.369
a little bit from the point of view of a teacher
905
00:48:09.369 --> 00:48:10.521
here at EDUCARE, please
906
00:48:10.521 --> 00:48:14.854
welcome Katrina.
(audience applause)
907
00:48:17.850 --> 00:48:20.017
Thank you, good morning.
908
00:48:21.028 --> 00:48:22.207
[Audience Together] Good morning.
909
00:48:22.207 --> 00:48:24.134
On behalf of our staff I would like to welcome
910
00:48:24.134 --> 00:48:26.448
you to our beautiful school that we have been
911
00:48:26.448 --> 00:48:28.309
anticipating in order to help lift
912
00:48:28.309 --> 00:48:30.949
the early childhood education field.
913
00:48:30.949 --> 00:48:33.627 line:15%
My name is Katrina Perry, and I am a pre-K teacher
914
00:48:33.627 --> 00:48:35.329 line:15%
here at EDUCARE.
915
00:48:35.329 --> 00:48:38.391 line:15%
I would like to say I am truly honored and I'm grateful
916
00:48:38.391 --> 00:48:40.820 line:15%
to speak before you today, and I would like to share
917
00:48:40.820 --> 00:48:43.354 line:15%
with you my journey here at EDUCARE, and share
918
00:48:43.354 --> 00:48:45.933
what EDUCARE means to me.
919
00:48:45.933 --> 00:48:49.195
As I reflect back on when I first applied to EDUCARE,
920
00:48:49.195 --> 00:48:51.559
I remember reading the job description,
921
00:48:51.559 --> 00:48:54.534
and there were key phrases that stood out to me;
922
00:48:54.534 --> 00:48:57.269
bridging the achievement gap, between low income
923
00:48:57.269 --> 00:49:00.545
and middle class families, high quality program,
924
00:49:00.545 --> 00:49:02.593
and continuity of care.
925
00:49:02.593 --> 00:49:06.059
I thought to myself, I have to apply for this position.
926
00:49:06.059 --> 00:49:08.924
And I wanted to learn more about this school.
927
00:49:08.924 --> 00:49:11.638
So I went on the website and I researched,
928
00:49:11.638 --> 00:49:13.638
and after reading, I immediately wanted to be
929
00:49:13.638 --> 00:49:15.569
a part of this program.
930
00:49:15.569 --> 00:49:18.017
I then became obsessed with EDUCARE,
931
00:49:18.017 --> 00:49:20.287
envisioning myself working at this school.
932
00:49:20.287 --> 00:49:21.419
(light audience laughter)
933
00:49:21.419 --> 00:49:24.546
Not long after applying, my dreams came true.
934
00:49:24.546 --> 00:49:27.036
I was hired as a lead teacher at EDUCARE,
935
00:49:27.036 --> 00:49:30.088
and it was amazing, because all the staff had the same
936
00:49:30.088 --> 00:49:33.046
drive and passion that I possessed.
937
00:49:33.046 --> 00:49:35.207
As an early childhood teacher I have had
938
00:49:35.207 --> 00:49:38.071
the opportunity to work in high quality programs
939
00:49:38.071 --> 00:49:40.385
serving middle, upper class families,
940
00:49:40.385 --> 00:49:43.141
as well as programs serving low income families.
941
00:49:43.141 --> 00:49:46.449
I myself can remember living in this exact neighborhood
942
00:49:46.449 --> 00:49:49.000
about 10 years ago, searching for a program
943
00:49:49.000 --> 00:49:51.752
for my two young children, and I never found a program
944
00:49:51.752 --> 00:49:55.593
that came close to what EDUCARE offers these families.
945
00:49:55.593 --> 00:49:57.797
My experience at EDUCARE has been both challenging
946
00:49:57.797 --> 00:50:01.837
and rewarding, as I reflect back I have experienced
947
00:50:01.837 --> 00:50:03.628
a tremendous amount of professional growth
948
00:50:03.628 --> 00:50:05.518
in this short period.
949
00:50:05.518 --> 00:50:08.401
I have always been a dedicated, passionate teacher,
950
00:50:08.401 --> 00:50:11.444
but EDUCARE has pushed me beyond my norm of teaching.
951
00:50:11.444 --> 00:50:14.213
Through the rigorous lesson plans, the embedded
952
00:50:14.213 --> 00:50:17.698
professional development, and high expectations.
953
00:50:17.698 --> 00:50:20.577
The lesson plans and daily activities are detailed
954
00:50:20.577 --> 00:50:23.019
with challenging content so students are expected
955
00:50:23.019 --> 00:50:25.437
to push themselves and use higher level thinking
956
00:50:25.437 --> 00:50:27.944
skills throughout the day.
957
00:50:27.944 --> 00:50:31.606
At EDUCARE, all staff are expected to continually learn,
958
00:50:31.606 --> 00:50:33.687
and take risks with the new learning.
959
00:50:33.687 --> 00:50:36.007
This in turn teaches children to take risk,
960
00:50:36.007 --> 00:50:39.566
and encourages everyone to have a growth mindset.
961
00:50:39.566 --> 00:50:41.472
At EDUCARE, families are considered to be
962
00:50:41.472 --> 00:50:44.842
their child's first teacher, and because of this
963
00:50:44.842 --> 00:50:46.832
parents are encouraged and invited to be a part
964
00:50:46.832 --> 00:50:50.022
of the program on a regular basis.
965
00:50:50.022 --> 00:50:52.153
They are involved by staying in the first 15 minutes
966
00:50:52.153 --> 00:50:55.058
of the day, attending parenting classes,
967
00:50:55.058 --> 00:50:57.161
joining in on parenting coffee chats,
968
00:50:57.161 --> 00:51:00.770
and gallery walks, to name just a few.
969
00:51:00.770 --> 00:51:03.322
We are dedicated to doing our best work to make a difference
970
00:51:03.322 --> 00:51:06.090
in our students and their families' lives.
971
00:51:06.090 --> 00:51:08.627
We do this first and foremost by providing students
972
00:51:08.627 --> 00:51:11.854
with a safe, fun, and loving classroom environment
973
00:51:11.854 --> 00:51:15.618
that occur because of the skills given to us by EDUCARE.
974
00:51:15.618 --> 00:51:17.309
Through these skills students will be able
975
00:51:17.309 --> 00:51:20.480
to develop their pre-academic, the socio-emotional,
976
00:51:20.480 --> 00:51:23.597
as well as language skills needed to help bridge
977
00:51:23.597 --> 00:51:26.718
the achievement gap and succeed beyond EDUCARE,
978
00:51:26.718 --> 00:51:27.983
thank you for your time.
979
00:51:27.983 --> 00:51:30.983
(audience applause)
980
00:51:36.677 --> 00:51:39.010
Are you inspired, or what?
981
00:51:40.829 --> 00:51:44.652
So, last but not least, we've talked about it,
982
00:51:44.652 --> 00:51:48.235
but of course, we wanna hear from a parent,
983
00:51:49.392 --> 00:51:53.392
so today Ms. Jacqueline Villegas, is that right?
984
00:51:55.908 --> 00:51:58.884
Okay, is gonna give you a perspective
985
00:51:58.884 --> 00:52:03.363
of one of our EDUCARE parents, so please welcome Jacqueline.
986
00:52:03.363 --> 00:52:06.363
(audience applause)
987
00:52:12.788 --> 00:52:14.651
Good morning esteemed guests.
988
00:52:14.651 --> 00:52:15.880
[Audience Together] Good morning.
989
00:52:15.880 --> 00:52:18.092
I would first like to thank our EDUCARE
990
00:52:18.092 --> 00:52:21.350 line:15%
principal and staff for giving me the opportunity
991
00:52:21.350 --> 00:52:23.767 line:15%
and the honor to speak today.
992
00:52:25.531 --> 00:52:27.916 line:15%
It seems like it was only yesterday when
993
00:52:27.916 --> 00:52:32.175 line:15%
I attended the community meeting notifying our neighborhood
994
00:52:32.175 --> 00:52:36.890
of our innovative school that was about to be built.
995
00:52:36.890 --> 00:52:40.905
Now I stand before you today with our beautiful school
996
00:52:40.905 --> 00:52:45.831
officially completed, yay. (light audience laughter)
997
00:52:45.831 --> 00:52:48.905
I recall the excitement I felt looking forward
998
00:52:48.905 --> 00:52:51.751
to the possibility that my daughter might be able
999
00:52:51.751 --> 00:52:54.543
to attend, and I am proud to say that she is
1000
00:52:54.543 --> 00:52:57.876
in her second and final year at EDUCARE.
1001
00:53:00.022 --> 00:53:04.895
Vince Gilmont said, you cannot make people learn, you can
1002
00:53:04.895 --> 00:53:09.841
only provide the right conditions for learning to happen.
1003
00:53:09.841 --> 00:53:13.915
I feel that EDUCARE is creating the foundation and providing
1004
00:53:13.915 --> 00:53:17.933
the building blocks for learning to take place.
1005
00:53:17.933 --> 00:53:22.383
Learning for our administration, our parents and caregivers,
1006
00:53:22.383 --> 00:53:26.288
and most important, learning for our children.
1007
00:53:26.288 --> 00:53:30.537
Our school has had a tremendous impact in numerous ways
1008
00:53:30.537 --> 00:53:33.223
I didn't think were possible.
1009
00:53:33.223 --> 00:53:37.291
I never envisioned my personal involvement with EDUCARE,
1010
00:53:37.291 --> 00:53:40.253
or the Head Start program.
1011
00:53:40.253 --> 00:53:43.389
Striving to be a positive role model for my child
1012
00:53:43.389 --> 00:53:48.089
it has inspired me to volunteer, and for the second
1013
00:53:48.089 --> 00:53:50.927
year I'm proud to say that I am part of the
1014
00:53:50.927 --> 00:53:53.891
Head Start Policy Council, and in every committee
1015
00:53:53.891 --> 00:53:56.104
including the Executive Committee.
1016
00:53:56.104 --> 00:53:59.253
(audience applause)
1017
00:53:59.253 --> 00:54:03.073
Thank you; I am very passionate about instilling
1018
00:54:03.073 --> 00:54:06.911
a love for learning and cultural enrichment.
1019
00:54:06.911 --> 00:54:10.684
It was extremely important for me to find a school
1020
00:54:10.684 --> 00:54:13.428
that would able to foster that growth.
1021
00:54:13.428 --> 00:54:16.313
My child gets bilingual education, and that has
1022
00:54:16.313 --> 00:54:18.683
been a dream come true.
1023
00:54:18.683 --> 00:54:21.413
She is learning social skills that will provide
1024
00:54:21.413 --> 00:54:24.487
a positive foundation for her future.
1025
00:54:24.487 --> 00:54:27.155
My relationship with my child has improved
1026
00:54:27.155 --> 00:54:31.689
by the tools I have gained via the parenting workshops.
1027
00:54:31.689 --> 00:54:35.633
We both have learned conscious discipline techniques
1028
00:54:35.633 --> 00:54:37.860
that will not only enrich our lives but our
1029
00:54:37.860 --> 00:54:40.693
relationships with others as well.
1030
00:54:42.225 --> 00:54:44.806
One of my favorite quotes is by Gandhi,
1031
00:54:44.806 --> 00:54:49.347
and he said, be the change you wish to see in the world.
1032
00:54:49.347 --> 00:54:52.597
And I feel that EDUCARE is that change.
1033
00:54:53.635 --> 00:54:56.600
The change that our community needs to open doors
1034
00:54:56.600 --> 00:54:59.962
to opportunities for disenfranchised children.
1035
00:54:59.962 --> 00:55:02.621
It helps parents like myself seek to be
1036
00:55:02.621 --> 00:55:06.570
the best we can be, by encouraging personal growth
1037
00:55:06.570 --> 00:55:10.918
via parent workshops we learn tools that we can apply
1038
00:55:10.918 --> 00:55:13.982
in the lives of our children and peers.
1039
00:55:13.982 --> 00:55:16.586
We have gained skills that promote goals
1040
00:55:16.586 --> 00:55:19.604
and accountability, so we can strive to build
1041
00:55:19.604 --> 00:55:24.253
positive relationships with our children and families.
1042
00:55:24.253 --> 00:55:26.681
It gives us the purpose to not only make
1043
00:55:26.681 --> 00:55:30.025
a positive impact in our own personal lives,
1044
00:55:30.025 --> 00:55:33.568
but the lives of our children in our community; thank you.
1045
00:55:33.568 --> 00:55:36.568
(audience applause)
1046
00:55:42.555 --> 00:55:45.744
So, first of all, I wanna thank all of our speakers.
1047
00:55:45.744 --> 00:55:47.784
That was a lot of speakers to put before you,
1048
00:55:47.784 --> 00:55:49.992
and everybody really stayed right on the mark,
1049
00:55:49.992 --> 00:55:52.066
except me, by the way,
1050
00:55:52.066 --> 00:55:54.568
so will you thank everybody that came up here
1051
00:55:54.568 --> 00:55:56.734
today to celebrate with you, all of our leaders.
1052
00:55:56.734 --> 00:55:59.734
(audience applause)
1053
00:56:01.663 --> 00:56:04.806
Thank you Jacqueline; I remember Maria saying to us
1054
00:56:04.806 --> 00:56:08.372
that first day, when you and lots of your parents
1055
00:56:08.372 --> 00:56:12.008
and children came, and what was shared with us
1056
00:56:12.008 --> 00:56:16.046
is that you were sort of almost, just tears in your eyes
1057
00:56:16.046 --> 00:56:18.104
thinking, this can't be true, that this is
1058
00:56:18.104 --> 00:56:19.937
actually for my child.
1059
00:56:21.886 --> 00:56:24.826
Which, on one part makes my heart sing,
1060
00:56:24.826 --> 00:56:27.610
that we made it happen, and then the other side
1061
00:56:27.610 --> 00:56:30.993
makes me wanna cry, because that should be
1062
00:56:30.993 --> 00:56:33.444
not a surprise, that should be the normal.
1063
00:56:33.444 --> 00:56:35.574
So that's our commitment to you and every one
1064
00:56:35.574 --> 00:56:38.999
of the parents that we're all gonna work together,
1065
00:56:38.999 --> 00:56:41.058
that is our commitment to each other,
1066
00:56:41.058 --> 00:56:43.528
that this becomes what starts to become normal
1067
00:56:43.528 --> 00:56:48.057
all over LA, all over California, all over the country.
1068
00:56:48.057 --> 00:56:50.916
We're proud to be a part of this national movement,
1069
00:56:50.916 --> 00:56:54.824
and the EDUCARE Network, and thank you for joining
1070
00:56:54.824 --> 00:56:57.276
us in this celebration this morning,
1071
00:56:57.276 --> 00:57:01.327
letting us talk at you to celebrate this moment,
1072
00:57:01.327 --> 00:57:04.994
and we invite all of you to be our partners,
1073
00:57:06.020 --> 00:57:07.908
and challenge us, and partner with us,
1074
00:57:07.908 --> 00:57:11.693
to think about making this place be both great
1075
00:57:11.693 --> 00:57:16.126
for these children right here, but a real place of work.
1076
00:57:16.126 --> 00:57:18.524
So we have an amazing room upstairs
1077
00:57:18.524 --> 00:57:20.428
that I hope most of you get a chance to see
1078
00:57:20.428 --> 00:57:23.105
if you haven't seen it, but how many, Maria,
1079
00:57:23.105 --> 00:57:25.824
can meet in that room, 90?
1080
00:57:25.824 --> 00:57:26.784
Around 100.
1081
00:57:26.784 --> 00:57:28.931
Around 100, and that's designed
1082
00:57:28.931 --> 00:57:32.367
per EDUCARE specs because then you can have
1083
00:57:32.367 --> 00:57:34.887
your committee, your council, your board,
1084
00:57:34.887 --> 00:57:38.661
your network, come here and have a meeting,
1085
00:57:38.661 --> 00:57:43.071
but also see this, and then use it to leverage.
1086
00:57:43.071 --> 00:57:47.139
So I invite you all to both eventually take a tour
1087
00:57:47.139 --> 00:57:49.378
of this space, we wanted to do tours today,
1088
00:57:49.378 --> 00:57:51.863
it just became too complicated with a day
1089
00:57:51.863 --> 00:57:54.631
in which we have an early out for the children,
1090
00:57:54.631 --> 00:57:58.131
but Roberto is right there, and he will be
1091
00:57:59.647 --> 00:58:02.414
your point of contact, so you can set up a tour
1092
00:58:02.414 --> 00:58:06.988
for yourself, for other people you will bring to us.
1093
00:58:06.988 --> 00:58:09.867
So now we're gonna do our formal ribbon cutting,
1094
00:58:09.867 --> 00:58:11.583
but I wanna say just one more time
1095
00:58:11.583 --> 00:58:13.680
this was meant to be a celebration,
1096
00:58:13.680 --> 00:58:16.949
so here's cheers to all of us; congratulations.
1097
00:58:16.949 --> 00:58:19.315
(audience applause)
1098
00:58:19.315 --> 00:58:22.732
(soft sentimental music)